Up at 6 this morning and off at 7 for a 260km ride from Paris to Nevers, towards the center of France. It is colder than a witch’s heart, say 50C, and my loaner Triumph Sprint GT behaves flawlessly all the way in.

Except of course for the cold, as the total absence of turbulence on the GT comes at a price: a low intrusion windscreen that let a lot of air hit your chest. That air then works its way through all the layers I am wearing. So it is cold! Live with it fool – or bring better kit next time.

Photo: WorldSBK.com

The original plan called for Jérôme Scaglia (Moto123.com cameraman), Bernard Suquet (Local talent, photographer and note taker) and I to shoot three clips, at BMW Superbike, BMW SuperStock and Aprilia – all factory teams. My main job for today (Friday) was meeting with the three teams to set the final shooting schedule, and plan the shoot in detail, like where we shoot from, etc. This went off easily with both BMW teams, then the plot thickened somewhat.

Max Biaggi and Aprilia clinched both rider and manufacturer titles last weekend in Italy, and they have been swamped with well deserved attention since. According to the team Press Relations Officer, “We will try to get Biaggi”. I will gladly talk to their Technical Director anyways, so I think we are OK there.

Then there is the case of Triumph, who lost the World Supersport race last week end on the last lap, the victim of a broken engine. For 2011, they are going for the Supersport title and rider championship, with lead rider Chas Davies on a full factory team. He is here and available, so we gotta talk to him.

Then there is Roger Lee Hayden, the youngest of the clan, riding a semi-official Pedercini Kawasaki. He is completing his first season in the WSBK, is the only AMA-bred rider here, and I need to talk to him.

Looks like a full day tomorrow. Look for a report